Brussels, 17/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - Georges Bach (EPP, Luxembourg), who is the rapporteur on review of air passengers' rights, is determined to strengthen the Commission's proposal on this subject. On Monday 16 September, he presented his amendments to colleagues on the EP committee on transport (TRAN). Innovations include proposals for new rules on the insolvency of airlines, pricing transparency, and hand luggage.
Bach took the view that the current Commission proposal “is not really added value for passengers”. He wants therefore to enhance passengers' rights. On one hand, he tackled questions that the Commission had chosen to leave to one side. Thus, he proposes to introduce special clauses on price transparency in the general conditions for reservation, to prevent airlines from demanding additional taxes for issuing tickets or for small extra luggage (umbrella, small purchases) and to protect passengers in the event of airline insolvency (through an insurance fund system). Following a judgment of the European Court of Justice, he re-established that compensation procedure should be triggered after a delay of three hours (compared to five hours suggested by the Commission). This was welcomed by MEPs. Bach also called for a ban on the airlines' “no show” policy of denying a passenger the right to board a return flight if he has not used the outbound part of his ticket. Furthermore, he confirmed that compensation can only be due in the case of exceptional circumstances, such as natural disasters or sabotage, but not technical problems. When it comes to time lost waiting on the tarmac, the rapporteur hoped passengers would not remain stuck in a plane on the ground for more than two hours, while the Commission is prepared to accept five hours. (MD/transl.jl)